db Defender™ is a thin, lightweight, highly mold-able vibration damping material that consists of vinyl-based sheets designed to mold and conform to irregular surfaces to achieve 100 percent bond, maximizing damping performance. This car soundproofing material will stretch up to 40 percent to make an irregular surface appear as if it has been dipped in plastic. db Defender™ has twice the dampening and less than half the weight of asphalt dampening materials, and with the ability to handle continuous temperatures up to 250 degrees F. db Shield Defender™ consists of a proprietary component blend in a lightweight vinyl carrier engineered to convert structural resonance (vibration) into low-level heat through friction. The friction is created from each proprietary component blend coming in contact with one another as the substrate (or panel) vibrates.

db Defender™ is ideally suited to create or replace a vapor barrier behind an interior door panel, and is much more dense and rugged than the flimsy plastic or wax paper material provided by many O.E.s. This makes db Shield Defender™ far more capable of blocking airborne sound that normally enters the vehicle via the doors. This car soundproofing material also blocks speaker backwave and prevents acoustical short circuits, improving audio system performance by eliminating the conversion of sound energy into vibration energy, giving your speakers cleaner, crisper sound.

Leave one door intact, remove the panel, but leave all linkages, harnesses, and anything else in place. This way you have a point of reference while you are working on the opposite door.

When using the heat gun, if the material is too hot to touch, it’s too hot to work onto the surface. At this point the material may be molten, let it cool down a little and proceed.

Be patient – Performance of product is greatly affected by your attention to detail.

Installation:

To determine the proper dimensions of db Shield to be installed, use the door panel or interior panel (if available) as a template. If neither is available, use a poster board or heavy paper to make template.

Roll out the db Shield, place the interior panel or template you created on top of the sheet (black side) and scribe a line around the panel and onto the damping sheet. Then, proceed to cut 1/4” in from the scribe line. This will ensure that excess material does not extend out from behind the interior panel once the interior panels have been reinstalled, db Skin will stretch.

Measure and note the locations of wire harnesses, linkages, door panel mounting holes, and where they will pass through the damping sheet. Mark the locations on the db Shield. Cut the openings for these components using a knife or hole saw (for larger openings). Pro tip: Set drill in the reverse direction, cutting slowly in reverse will produce a clean cut and prevent tearing of the db Shield.

Be sure to clean the surface of the body panel or door by cleaning and degreasing them. Give the panel one final wipe with isopropyl alcohol or aerosol glass cleaner to remove unwanted residue.

Grab the db Shield, pull down the white release liner paper approximately 3” and position the sheet starting on one edge of the body panel or if installing on a door, start with the top and work down. Be sure it is centered!

Using your palm, bond the sheet to the door all the way across the top. Use the heat gun to allow the material to mold and conform to any irregular surface that may be present. Make the db Shield warm, not hot.

Continue to install the sheet, by hand, pulling the release liner down 4” to 6” at a time and working from the top of the door down and then from the center of the db Shield to the outside edges. Work on small sections at a time (6” x 6”). Again, a heat gun will allow the material to stretch and conform to an irregular surface.

Any pockets of trapped air are easily removed. Using your utility or hobby knife, make a small hole at the edge of the bubble, heat slightly with the heat gun and then use your fingers to force the trapped air out of the hole

The material will stretch and there will most likely be excess at the bottom. Using the opposite door as a reference, estimate how much will have to be trimmed off of the bottom before it is bonded to the surface of the door.

If you have accidentally covered any of the door panel fastener mounting holes or other openings carefully cut out the excess material directly over the opening. Pro Tip: Use a heat gun to warm covered opening will help with removal.

Excess db Shield may be used to tape down wire harnesses if necessary.

Optional, if painting or taping, be sure to clean the surface of the body panel or door by cleaning, and give the db Shield one final wipe with isopropyl alcohol or aerosol glass cleaner to remove unwanted residue.

If you need to remove the db Shield, a heat gun may be necessary. Start in one corner, and use a plastic scraper, work your way outward. To remove any adhesive from the panel, wipe with a cloth soaked in WD-40.

A. One sheet of db Shield (P/N 040051) is enough to cover one set (2) door panels

Q. Can I paint the db Shield after it is installed?

A. Yes, just clean it after installing and use a pre paint cleaner, paint will have no trouble bonding to db Shield!

Q. How can I remove the db Shield?

A. To remove db Shield, grab that heat gun, start in one corner and slowly work your way out. A plastic scraper can help without damaging door panel. To remove and excess adhesive, use some good old WD-40!